Throttle actuated starter switch device



Dec. 25, 1956 F. A. KOMMER THROTTLE ACTUATED STARTER SWITCH DEVICE Filed June 19, 1952 I5 Sheets-Sheet l QWWWWF 44 if 6/ E 6 mun 60 C mun 4 FIG.3. FIG.4. 1 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Dec. 25, 1956 F. A. KOMMER 2,775,711

THROTTLE ACTUATED STARTER SWITCH DEVICE Filed June 19, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 76 F i 5 INVENTOR.

FRED A. KOMMER BW/KZM AT TOR NE Y 1956 F. A. KOMMER 2,775,711

THROTTLE ACTUATED STARTER SWITCH DEVICE Filed June 19, 1952' :5 Sheets-Sheet 3 8.5 96 92 F I G. 7. 9*

i 49 50 97 5 53 g 31% F 94 95 E 93 8764 E B r 96 8 i 1 m E a7 96 l i 3 F I 6. IO.

INVENTOR.

FRED A. KOMMER BYW/KM ATTORNEY United States Patent THROTTLE ACTUAT-ED STARTER SWITCH DEVICE Fred A. Komrner, St. Louis, M0,, assignor, by mesne assignments, to ACE Industries, Incorporated, New York, N. Y., a corporation-of' New Jersey Application June 19, 1952, Serial No. 294,517 a 15 Claims. (Cl. 290-38) This invention'relates to starting systems for internal combustion engines and consists particularly in a novel, semi-automatic starter switch device with exceptional stability.

A familiar self-starter system for automotive engines includes a solenoid having a winding which-advances the starting pinion into meshing engagement with the fly wheel gear and a second, lighter winding which, thereafter, holds such engagement during cranking. The solenoid, usually, is energized through a relay which, in turn, is closed or picked up by a manualthrottle switch. In certain cases, the starter switch is operated by the accelerator pedal and, if the pedal is not firmly held by thefoot in the starting position, the circuit may be unstably or intermittently closed which causes arcing and abnormal heating of the relay points which may be fused together or otherwise damaged.

However, wherethe starter switch'is held firmly closed until the engine is started, there is no danger of damaging the relay points. The possibility of an unstable contacting of the starter switch is increased where the switch is operated by the accelerator pedal, as, customarily, the driver cannot feel the point in the pedal depression when the starter switch is closed and, thus, must more or less guess at the proper depression of the pedal.

Accordingly, it is the main object of 'thepresent invention to provide novel means for insuring'secure and stable closing of the manual starter switch. This object is obtained substantially by the provision of a starter-switch in which the actuating'plunger is connected to the movable contact or the contact bridging member of the switch by means'of a lost-motion connectionso-that,-once the switch is closed, the plunger and throttleare permitted slight jiggling or retraction without opening the switch and breaking the starter circuit.

In-the accompanying drawings which illustrate theinvention:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic View of an automotive ignition and starter systemembodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlargedside view of a carburetor havingone form of the novel starter switch applied thereto.

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section through the switch housing and taken-substantially on line 3--3' of Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4-of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section illustrating a modified form of starter switch.

Pig. 6 is a detail section taken on line 66of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a partial vertical transverse section, enlarged, showing still another form of the starter switch.

'Fig. 8 is a section taken on line 88 of'Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a'detail section taken on line 99 of-Fig. 7-.

Fig. 1-0 is a View of a part of the structure in'Fi'gpS, but showing the switch closed Theelectrical system as shown in Fig. l'includes the breaker--12,high tension coil 13 and distributor'14, and ignition switch 15,constitut-ing the ignition system, and

Hce

a generator 16 and cutout 17 connected by leads 1.3, 19 and '20, through-ammeter21 to storage battery 22. The engine 23 has an intake manifold mounting carburetor 24-which, in turn, has a throttle controlled by a linkage 25 from a manually operable accelerator pedal 26. Generally the engine is mounted in rubber supports to absorb vibration, and thesesupports permit the engine to oscillateduring cranking. Engine 23 is provided with an electric starting system which includes a starter motor 27 mounted at the side of the engine. The starter system includes a switch 30 mountedon the carburetor and operated by the indented extremity 31 of the throttle shaft, as shown in Fig. 3. The system also includes a relay 32 connected to the battery by ignition switch 15 and to ground by starter switch 30, lead 18, and the brushes of generator 16. The points 33 of relay 32 are closed by operation of switches 15 and 30'which energize the circuit to close a circuit 34 connecting battery lead 20 to.a solenoid '35. to the armature 36 of the solenoid is a link 37 extending to a lever 38 pivoted at 35 to the engine body and engaging, at its lower extremity, the starter pinion 46. Also connected to the solenoid armature is a bridging contact or point 41 which, when the armature is advanced into the solenoid, closes stationary contacts or points '42 forleading battery current directly to starter motor 27. Upon energization of the solenoid, pinion 40 is s-lid along motor shaft 44 so as to engage fly wheel teeth 45. At this time, contacts 42 will close causing operation of the starter motor.

At the same time, the heavy wiring 35a constituting the pinion-advancing coil portion or first stage of the solenoid will be automatically cut out andbattery current thereafter will flow through points 33 of relay 32 and to a lighter holding coil portion 35b of the solenoid for maintaining the pinion and ring gear 45 in meshing engagement. The first stage or pinion-advancing operation of-solenoid 35 subjects wiring 34 and relay points 33 to approximately amperes of current. In normal, operation, this current will be drawn for only a very'shortperiod so that the relay points are not adversely affected. However, as stated above, if the starter switch is not stably held closed, arcing and heating of the relay points may result.

With further reference to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be seen that the starter switch includes an actuating plunger 50 of insulating material which extends through wall 51 dividing the carburetor from the switch chamber which is enclosed by'an insulator cap 52. Interposed between theactuating end 31 of-the throttle shaft and plunger'50 is a ball 49 which rests in a chamber 53 connected by means of a passage 54 to the engine intake manifold. This much of the starter switch actuating mechanism is fully described and claimed in Patent No. Re. 22,385 in the name of Irven E. Coifey from which it appears that when the throttle valve is returned to its fully closed position, as at A in Fig. 3 and the engine is in operation, ball-49 will be lifted by engine suction transmitted through passage 54 so that, thereafter, the throttle valve maybe freely operated without affecting the starter switch.

The improved starter switch also includes snap action, lost-motion mechanism included within casing 52. This mechanism comprises a kicker'lever 55 which is pivoted on a pin'56 seated in the casing and is constantly urged counterclockwise, against plunger 50, by a coiled compression spring 57 compressed between thekicker and a centering nubbin 58 on the casing inner wall. Also loosely pivoted on pin 56 isa yoke 60 having an upward finger 61 which receives an overcenter, coiledcompression spring '62. The yoke has opposite contactfingers Secured 3 ing wall and a crossbar 65, andrearward stop element 66 loosely receiving kicker 55 therebetween.

In operation of this form, upon advancing of actuating plunger 50, by opening movement of the throttle valve to position B, and consequent clockwise rotation of throttle shaft 31, kicker lever 55 is rotated clockwise, carrying with it yoke 60 by means of engagement of bar 65 thereof by the kicker. As the yoke passes over center, spring 62 will snap the same and contact fingers 63 into bridging engagement with stationary contacts 64, thus closing the starter circuit. In this position of the switch parts, as shown in broken lines in Fig. 3, kicker lever 55 is permitted slight counterclockwise movement, that is, movement in the throttle closing direction, until back stop 66 is engaged, without moving bridging contacts 63. Consequently, plunger 50 and the throttle valve, likewise, are permitted slight jiggling or retraction without affecting the starter switch. When the throttle is closed and plunger 50 fully retracted by spring 57, kicker lever 55 also is urged counterclockwise by this spring against stop 66 on the overcenter yoke and, ultimately, this yoke is shifted with snap action to the open position shown in solid lines in Fig. 3.

Figs. and 6 show a slightly modified form of snap action switch, which form is shown applied to the carburetor in Fig. 2. In this form, a spring strip 70 is secured to upper stationary contact 71 carried in insulating casing 72 and extends downwardly across and in engagement with the extremity of plunger 50a. The strip is maintained constantly in engagement with the end of the plunger by a coiled compression spring 73. At the lower extremity of the spring strip there is secured a contact clip 74 and the extreme end of the strip is hooked, as at 75. This hook, during advancement of plunger 50a, is impeded by a ball 76, seated in the wall of casing 72, so that the plunger is permitted considerable play, that is, lost-motion during flexing of the spring strip, before the strip is forced over the ball to bring contact clip 74 into engagement with lower stationary contact 77. When the throttle is closed and plunger 50 retracted, spring 73 urges spring strip 70 in the opposite direction. However, the plunger and throttle valve are permitted the same amount of play or lost-motion before spring 73 is free to return the spring strip and contact clip 74 to their open solid line positions.

The form in Figs. 7-10 involves lost-motion only, without the snap action in the previous forms. Plunger 80 in this form has longitudinal arms 81 forming a slot 82 therebetween bridged by a transverse rib 83. Loosely received in this slot is a W-shaped switch bridging member 84 of spring strip material. Rib 83 extends through the central finger 85 of the bridging member which has crimped elements 86 just beneath this rib or bar for yieldingly maintaining the assembly of the plunger and contact. Plunger 80 also has a central pintle 87 which enters the open end of center portion 85 of the bridging member, on the opposite side of crimped elements 86 from bar 83.

Mounted in an insulating casing cap 90, which is held in place by bolt 91 and clip 92, are stationary contacts 93. A coiled compression spring 94 is seated at the center of the cap 90 and bears against an insulating washer 95 which, in turn, rests upon the extremities of longitudinl legs 81 on the plunger. A small washer 96 received upon the stepped terminal portion of central finger 85 of the bridging element prevents excessive spreading thereof so that crimped portions 86 cannot easily pass bar 83 or pintle 87 on the plunger. Additional washers 97 are located at the bottom of plunger slot 82 about projection 87.

In operation of this third form, it will be observed that W-shaped bridging contact element 84 rests loosely within slot 82 in plunger 80 with its sideward, contacting arms resiliently engaging the wall of the casing so that the bridging contact will yieldingly remain in the position to which it is moved by the plunger until it is again moved thereby. When the throttle valve is opened and plunger moved rightwardly, washers 97 advance and ultimately engage the base of W contact 84. Thereupon, the contact is shifted bodily until its fingers engage stationary contacts 93 and close the switch. Thereafter, plunger 80 may be retracted as the throttle valve is slightly closed, within the limits as represented by the distance between washers and 96 in Fig. 10, without affecting the bridging element or opening the switch When the throttle is fully closed and the plunger fully retracted by spring 94, this spring shifts the contact leftwardly away from the stationary contact so as to open the switch.

In all of the forms, the manual throttle switch is stably maintained in its closed condition irrespective of slight jiggling or retraction of the switch plunger or its actuating instrumentality, in this case, either from engine vibration in its mountings or from unsteady pressure on the carburetor accelerator pedal. Various details may be modified as will occur to those skilled in the art and the exclusive use of all modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims is contemplated.

I claim:

1. A starting system for internal combustion engines comprising a starting motor, a starting pinion and gear, a solenoid, a source of electrical energy, and a starting circuit including said source and said solenoid, a relay and a manual, lost-motion switch having movable and stationary contact members, an actuator for applying manual pressure directly to said movable contact member to close said switch but capable of limited movement in the switch opening direction after the switch is closed without shifting said movable contact member, and means for yieldingly maintaining said contact members in engagement.

2. A starting system for internal combustion engines comprising a starting motor, a starting pinion and gear, solenoid means having pinion shifting and holding windings, a source of electrical energy, and a relay, and a starting circuit including a manual switch, said relay, said motor, said source, and said solenoid means, said switch, when closed functioning to actuate said solenoid means, through said relay, an actuator for said switch and stationary and movable switch contacts, said actuator being constructed and arranged to apply manual pressure directly to said movable contact to close the switch, and means to delay the response of said movable contact to operation by said actuator in a switch opening direction.

3. An engine starting system comprising a starter motor, a starting pinion and gear, a solenoid with pinion advancing and holding coils having, respectively, relatively heavy and light current requirements, a manually operated starting switch, a relay, a source of electrical energy, and a starting circuit connecting said switch, said motor, said relay, said solenoid, and said source for causing pinion advancement and operation of said motor to start the associated engine upon closing of said switch, said switch having movable and stationary points and an actuator constructed and arranged to apply manual pressure directly to said movable point in the switch closing direction and, means to delay the response of said movable contact to operation by said actuator after said points are closed to movement of said actuator in a switch opening direction.

4. An engine starting system comprising a starting motor, a starter pinion and gear, a solenoid including selectively acting pinion-advancing and holding coils having, respectively, relatively heavy and light current requirements, a source of electrical energy, a relay, a starter switch, and electrical wiring connecting said parts in series, said switch having movable and stationary contacts, an actuator to apply manual pressure to said movable contact to close said switch, means for resisting opening movement of said contacts when closed, and a lost motion connection between said actuator and said movable contact.

5. In an engine starting system having a gearing, a starter motor for driving the gearing, a'solenoid for engaging and maintaining said gearing interconnected in driving relation, a source of power, electric circuits from said source throughsaid solenoid, and to said starter motor, and a starter relay controlling said circuit, in combination therewith; a means to energize and close said relay to actuate said solenoid and starter motor, comprising a pressure-operated manually controlled starter switch of the spring actuated self-opening type, including mechanism for stabilizing the action of said switch during variations in actuating pressure to prevent intermittent switch closing-and relay action to prolong the life of the contacts of said relay, said mechanism having movable and stationary points, an actuator applying man ual pressure to shift said movable points in a switchclosing direction, a lost motion connection between said points and said actuator, and resilient means urging said points in the direction of said actuator.

6. In an engine starting system having a gearing, a starter motor for driving the gearing, a solenoid for engaging and maintaining said gearing interconnected in driving relation,a source of power, electric circuits from said source through said solenoid, and to said starter motor, and a starter-relay controlling said circuit, in combination therewith; a means to energize and close said relay to actuate said solenoid and starter motor, comprising a pressure-operated manually controlled starter switch of the spring actuated self-opening type, including mechanism for stabilizing the action of said switch during variations in actuating pressure to prevent'intermittent switch closing and relay action to prolong the life of the contacts of said relay, said mechanism having movable and stationary points, an actuator to shift said movable points in a switch-closing direction, a lost motion connection between said points and said actuator, means urging said points in the direction of said actuator, and means for maintaining said points closed independent of said actuator.

7. In an engine starting system having a gearing, a starter motor for driving the gearing, a solenoid for engaging and maintaining said gearing interconnected in driving relation, a source of power, electric circuits from said source through said solenoid, and to said starter motor, and a starter relay controlling said circuit, in combination therewith; a means to energize and close said relay to actuate said solenoid and starter motor, comprising a pressure-operated manually controlled starter switch of the spring actuated self-opening type, including mechanism for stabilizing the action of said switch during variations in actuating pressure to prevent intermittent switch closing and relay action to prolong the life of the contacts of said relay, said mechanism having I movable and stationary points, an actuator to shift said movable points in a switch-closing direction, a lost motion connection between said points and said actuator, means urging said points in the direction of said actuator, and resilient means for maintaining said points closed independent of said actuator.

8. In an engine starting system having a gearing, a starter motor for driving the gearing, a solenoid having separate windings for engaging and maintaining said gearing interconnected in driving relation, a source of power, electric circuits from said source through said solenoid, said separate windings, and to said starter motor, and a starter relay controlling said circuit, in combination therewith; a means to energize and close said relay to actuate said solenoid and starter motor, comprising a pressure operated manually controlled starter switch of the spring actuated self-opening type, including mechanism for stabilizing the action of said switch during variations in actuating pressure to prevent intermittent switch closing andrelay action to prolong'the life of the co'ntactsofsaid relay, said mechanism having movable and stationary points, a manually operated actuator acting separately on said switch opening spring and saidmovable points to compress said spring and to shift said points in a switch closing direction, and a two-waylost motion connection between said points and said actuator.

9. In an electric starting apparatus for an internal combustion engine including an electric motor, a source of electric power, a connecting circuit to said motor from said source, and a control switch in said circuit for controlling the operation of said apparatus and having, in combination, a pair of contacts which, when closed, cause said apparatus to become operative, and, when opened, render such apparatus inoperative, an actuator for said contacts capable of limited movement in the switch opening direction after said contacts are closed without opening said contacts, means for yieldingly'main- .taining the said contacts in engagement, a carburetor throttle adapted to be opened and closed to regulate the quantity of combustible mixture supplied to the engine, means operated by said throttle upon opening movement thereof to move said actuator in a direction to apply pressure for closing of said contacts, and means operable upon movement of said throttle to closed position to move said actuator in a direction to effect disengagement of said contacts.

10. In a starting mechanism for internal combustion engines, an electric motor and a battery powered operating circuit therefor, a manual control for said circuit, an additional circuit control responsive to suction in the intake conduit of an associated engine, only when said circuit is open, for rendering said manual control inoperative, fixed and movablecontacts in said circuit which, when closed, cause said mechanism to become operative, and, when opened, render such mechanism inoperative, an actuator for said movable contact having a lost motion operative connection to said movable contact and thereby capable of limited movement in the switch opening direction after said contacts are closed, without opening said contacts, means for yieldingly maintaining said contacts in engagement, a carburetorthrottle adapted to be opened and closed by saidmanual control to regulate the quantity of combustible mixture supplied to the engine, means operated by said throttle upon opening movement thereof tomove said actuator in a direction to cause the closing of said contacts, and means operable upon movement of said throttle to closed positionto move said actuator in a direction to effect disengagement of said contacts.

11. In a starting mechanism for internal combustion engines having a starter motor, a source of electrical energy, a connecting circuit for said motor and source, switch means in said circuit, a manual control for said switch means, and additional control means for said circuit arranged to respond to a predetermined suction in the induction conduit of an associated engine for rendering said manual control ineffective, said suction control being unresponsive to said predetermined suction when said switch is closed by coordination of said manual and suction controls, in combination, fixed and movable contacts in said switch means which, when closed, cause said mechanism to become operative, and, when open, render such mechanism inoperative, an actuator for said switch means constructed and arranged to shift said movable contact to close the switch, and means in said switch means to delay the response of said movable contact to operation by said actuator in one direction.

12. In a starting mechanism for internal combustion engines comprising an electric motor, a battery powered circuit therefor, a manual control for said circuit, and an additional circuit control responsive to suction in the intake conduit of an associated engine, only when said circuit is open, for rendering said manual control inoperative, the combination of fixed and movable contacts in said circuit which, when closed, cause said mechanism to become operative by closing said circuit, and, when opened, render such mechanism inoperative, an actuator having an operative connection with said movable contact for shifting the same to close said circuit, said operative connection being constructed and arranged to delay the response of said movable contact to operation by said actuator in one direction, a carburetor throttle adapted to be opened and closed with movement of said manual control to regulate the quantity of combustible mixture supplied to the engine, means operated by said throttle upon opening movement thereof to move said actuator in a direction to cause the closing of said contact, and means operable upon movement of said throttle to closed position to move said actuator in a direction to effect dis engagement of said contacts.

13. In a starting mechanism for internal combustion engines of the type having a starting motor, a source of electrical energy, a connecting circuit for said motor and source, switch means in said circuit, a manual control for said switch means, a carburetor throttle valve for the associated engine movable with said manual control, and additional control means for said circuit including an element arranged to cooperate with said manual control upon movement thereof in the throttle opening direction to actuate said switch means and responsive to a predetermined suction in the induction conduit of an associated engine for rendering said manual control inefiective to actuate said switch, said element being unresponsive to said predetermined suction when said switch is closed by coordination of said manual control with said element, said control switch comprising fixed and movable contacts which, when closed, cause said mechanism to become operative, and, when open, render such mechanism inoperative and an actuator movable with said manual control and constructed and arranged to shift said movable contact to close the switch upon coordination of said manual control and said element, said actuator incorporating a lost motion device whereby the response of said movable contact to operation by said manual control in one direction is delayed.

14. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a carburetor with a throttle and an electric starting apparatus including an electric motor, a source of electric power, and a connecting circuit to said motor from said source, a control switch in said circuit for controlling the operation of said apparatus and having fixed and movable contacts which, when closed, cause said apparatus to become operative and, when opened, render such apparatus inoperative, an actuator for said control switch constructed and arranged to shift said movable contact to close the switch, means in said switch to delay the response of said movable contact to operation by said actuator in one direction, means operated by said carburetor throttle upon opening movement thereof to move said actuator in a direction to apply pressure for closing said contacts, and means operable upon movement of said throttle to closed position to move said actuator in a direction to elTect disengagement of said contacts.

15. In a starting mechanism for internal combustion engines, an electric motor and a battery powered operating circuit therefor, a manual control for said circuit, an additional circuit control responsive to suction in the intake conduit of an associated engine, only when said circuit is open, for rendering said manual control inoperative, fixed and movable contacts in said circuit which, when closed, cause said mechanism to become operative, and, when opened, render such mechanism inoperative, an actuator for said movable contact, a socket in said actuator, a plunger in said socket, a rib on said actuator spaced from said plunger, an element on said movable contact loosely received between said plunger and said rib to provide a lost motion connection with said actuator whereby said actuator is movable With respect to said movable contact and capable of limited movement in the switch opening direction after said contacts are closed without opening said contacts, means for yieldingly maintaining said contacts in engagement, a carburetor throttle adapted to be opened and closed by said manual control to regulate the quantity of combustible mixture supplied to the engine, means operated by said throttle upon opening movement thereof to move said actuator in a direction to cause the closing of said contacts, and resilient means acting on said actuator and operable upon movement of said throttle to closed position to move said actuator in a direction to effect disengagement of said contacts.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 22,385 Culley Oct. 26, 1943 2,053,094 Markham Sept. 1, 1936 2,326,125 Dermond Aug. 10, 1943 2,418,005 Baker et al Mar. 25, 1947 2,529,716 Vaksvik et al Nov. 14, 1950 2,570,281 Russell et al. Oct. 9, 1951 2,678,036 Dermond et a1. May 11, 1954 

